Measuring Impact of Stabilization Initiatives (MISTI)

Measuring Impacts of Stabilization Initiatives (MISTI) is a third-party monitoring and evaluation (M&E) program that uses rigorous social science methods to measure and map changes in stability over time.  MISTI will evaluate the impact of USAID stabilization programs in key areas of Afghanistan, in addition to working with USAID implementing partners to strengthen M&E systems and create a vibrant community of practice for evidence-based programming.  MISTI will also focus on improving effective communication of lessons learned from stabilization interventions.  The program has three primary goals:
 
  • Provide independent monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of USAID stabilization programs;
  • Collect, synthesize and analyze data at the district, provincial and regional levels to track changes in stability over time and help shape U.S. and Afghan Government policy and practice related to transition; and,
  • Contribute to the larger body of knowledge on best practices and lessons learned related to the design, implementation and assessment of stabilization activities within a counterinsurgency context.
MISTI provides an independent supplement to the existing M&E capacities of implementing partners and uses an online knowledge management portal to support the sharing of M&E best practices across stabilization programs.  By working to create a community of practice for M&E and program learning, MISTI supports stronger M&E systems with rigorously defined performance indicators and high standards for data verification and data quality.  MISTI combines data from program performance indicators, perception surveys, violent incidents, and other sources to quantify project impacts and control for external factors that might account for changes in stability.